The world's number one shipwright personally offered to design and build a flagship just for him.
In all the world, who wouldn't be tempted by such a thing?
Even Nao was no exception.
And besides, the old man Tom, at his age, had run across half the city just to see him before he left… He really couldn't bring himself to reject such sincerity.
So, after giving it serious thought, Nao agreed to Fishman Tom's request.
But the stubborn old man insisted on paying for everything himself and building it free of charge…
That part Nao wouldn't accept. He transferred nearly half of his assets—about 100 million Berries—to serve as the project's initial funding.
If more was needed later, all Tom had to do was ask, and Nao would wire additional funds from Marine Headquarters.
As for Helena Company, Nao didn't forget to call and cancel his order, explaining the situation—just in case those monopolistic shipbuilding tycoons tried to cause trouble for Tom's workshop once he left.
Only after tying up every loose end did he wave farewell to the old Fishman with a smile… and depart Water 7.
According to their agreement—
Within half a year, the warship would be completed and delivered to Marineford.
Nao couldn't help but feel some anticipation for this flagship born of Tom's craftsmanship. But before that…
Of course, the most important thing was still to accompany his wives, happily finishing the second half of their honeymoon journey.
...
On Spa Island:
A rain of colorful candy beans showered from the sky. Leaning against Sadaharu at the tower's edge, Nao and the three women admired the fairy-tale spectacle in comfort.
On Long Ring Long Land:
At a bustling night market, the four of them wielded toy rifles and popped every balloon with ease, sweeping up all the prizes.
The stall owner, face like a funeral, reluctantly handed over 10,000 Berries, preparing to beg them to move on—only to find that the four were already laughing and chatting, strolling away empty-handed with style.
On Drum Island:
Chopper hadn't been born yet, and a visit to Dr. Kureha on the mountain ended in disappointment—word had it she'd gone off gambling in the Spring Queen City and hadn't returned.
Fortunately, there was a hot spring behind the mountain, so the trip wasn't wasted. Amid the snowfields, clouds of steam rose as they soaked in the warm water—truly a pleasure.
Nao lay back comfortably in the pool, just about to praise the stunning mountain scenery—when he turned his head and found himself surrounded by six snowy peaks…
...
More than two months later—
Nao and his group finally ended their four-month-long honeymoon and returned to Marine Headquarters after a long absence.
Having gotten word ahead of time, Yukika and the old captain were already waiting at the docks with the children.
"Little Gion, look at you—your cheeks have thinned again…"
"Ahh, Shia, your skin's gotten much darker. That blockhead Nao, didn't he prepare sunscreen for you?"
"Bell-mère, I brought you some oranges I grew myself. Missed them, didn't you?"
Nao stared speechlessly as Yukika fussed over one after another—patting this one, hugging that one, fussing and doting—yet completely skipping over him.
He couldn't help but roll his eyes. He wanted to ask his mother who the real biological child was. Before he'd even gotten married, whenever he came back to the East Blue to visit, he'd been treated like an endangered species under top-level protection…
Thankfully, two little cuties filled that gap of affection.
After months apart, Nojiko clearly missed her father desperately. She leapt into Nao's arms and refused to let go.
Nami, now over a year old, stubbornly insisted on walking on her own. But after barely a few dozen meters, her legs gave out and she started to cry. Nao chuckled, playfully pinched her nose, and picked her up.
With Nami in his left arm and Nojiko in his right,
Nao cheerfully carried his two daughters back home. Yukika personally took to the kitchen, and the whole family, reunited after so long, enjoyed a lively, heartwarming meal together.
The vacation was now truly over.
Even as a Vice Admiral, he still had to return to work like everyone else.
As luck would have it—
The commander of G2 Branch, Vice Admiral Borsalino, happened to be visiting Headquarters in those same days to report and hand over certain important duties.
And so—
On his very first day back from leave, Nao found himself reunited with his long-unseen former superior inside Fleet Admiral Kong's office.
When Kizaru caught sight of the leave slip and saw the dates—an entire four months marked out—
The expression on his face shifted so quickly, so vividly, that Nao was left in awe, certain he'd never forget it for the rest of his life.
Rigid. Disbelieving. Bitter. Envious. And then—suddenly, as if a thought struck him, his eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope, gazing at Fleet Admiral Kong with a look that said he wanted to give it a try himself…
As for the outcome, well—
Anyone could guess it with their toes.
A four-month vacation? Absolutely impossible for Kizaru. In fact, Fleet Admiral Kong, wearing the sternest of expressions, even canceled the commander's year-end paid leave outright, citing the increasingly unstable situation in G-2's surrounding seas, which required his full attention.
When the two of them left Headquarters together, Nao could only look on with sympathy as Sir Kizaru stomped off, teeth grinding in sorrow and rage…
...
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month passed.
Unknowingly, October had arrived.
On this day—
Nao, as usual, returned from Headquarters, intending to head to the training grounds to practice swordsmanship for a few hours before going home for dinner, But then, a rare system notification chimed in his mind.
Apart from that one time when the system was upgraded and maintained, there was usually only one reason it would make that sound.
Realizing what it meant, Nao immediately pulled up the notification window. Sure enough, a long-awaited message appeared before his eyes:
[Devil Fruit incubation complete]
[Cooldown for skill "Sword of Azakana" has ended]
[Logia-type Devil Fruit: Rumble-Rumble Fruit has been added to your inventory. Please check.]
…
At last!
After waiting ninety full days, the perfect Logia-type fruit—without any curse or side effects—was finally in his hands!
He didn't even bother with the training grounds. Excited beyond words, Nao went straight home and announced the good news.
And instantly, he found himself the center of attention, like some rare giant panda on display.
"Eh? Eh eh eh? What's with this?"
Holding the golden Rumble-Rumble Fruit in his hand, Nao squinted at everyone staring him down. "You're all staring so hard… I'm just eating a fruit. No need to make such a big deal of it, right?"
"It's nothing."
Gion propped her chin with her hand, smiling slyly. "It's just… tsk, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit! You're about to become a Logia user. Such an important moment—we have to witness every second of it."
"That's right!"
Bell-mère's eyes stayed glued to Nao's lips. "So hurry up and eat it already, don't drag it out! Don't worry—the taste of Devil Fruits really isn't that bad. The rumors are totally exaggerated."
"Yeah," Shia nodded. "When I ate mine, it tasted kind of like pineapple."
"My fruit was more like a mix of tomato and carrot juice," Gion added.
"So varied and complicated?"
Nao glanced at the golden fruit in his hand, looking doubtful. "Really…? Why do I feel like you're all teaming up to mess with me?"
Nonsense—of course they were lying!
The taste of a Devil Fruit was far, far worse than the rumors.
None of them could ever forget what it was like when they first ate theirs—that unforgettable experience…
The instant your teeth sank in, juice burst out, the fleshy fibers breaking apart as you chewed; the stench flooding your tongue, mixed with a harsh, acrid burn that shot straight down your throat, spreading violently through your gut, making your stomach churn until it felt like you might vomit up everything you'd eaten in the past three days.
Each of them had suffered through that torment.
All except for Nao.
Finally, the day had come—and of course they couldn't just sit idly by. They had to watch closely, recording every second of his misery.
As they all stared expectantly, Nao hesitated for a few seconds before finally picking up the golden fruit. Under their eager gazes, he opened his mouth wide and slowly began to push it inside…
"He's eating—eh? No, he didn't."
Nao suddenly yanked the Devil Fruit back out, glancing at the women whose necks were stretched out like curious giraffes. He let out a snort. "Do you really think I'm stupid enough to just eat it like this?"
Leisurely, he got up, dangling the Devil Fruit in one hand, and strolled off into the kitchen.
The women's anticipation turned to disappointment. They exchanged glances, curiosity getting the better of them, and hurried after him—peeking their heads into the kitchen.
What they saw was him humming some unknown little tune, pulling half a dozen eggs out of the fridge, and setting oil to heat in a pan.
While the oil warmed, he diced the Devil Fruit into small cubes, then coated each piece in egg wash, flour, and breadcrumbs in turn.
And finally—under their dumbfounded stares—he tossed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit pieces into the sizzling pan, letting them fry to a golden crisp…